Everton are reportedly lining up a bid for Southampton striker Charlie Austin as a possible replacement for Romelu Lukaku.

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman left St Mary’s to take over at Goodison Park earlier in the summer but is facing the prospect of losing Belgium international forward Lukaku, who is being heavily linked with a return to former club Chelsea.

Therefore the Dutch tactician is looking for a replacement and is being tipped to return to the Saints to try and sign Austin ahead of the transfer deadline.

The 27-year-old has only been at St Mary’s since Koeman signed him from QPR for around £4million in January, but he has only started two Premier League games in that time and only played the final seven minutes of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Watford.

It appears Austin could be offloaded by new Saints boss Claude Puel if a suitable offer comes in, while reports also claim that QPR are set to make an offer to take him back to Loftus Road on loan.